Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
We are looking for a Band 5 Orthoptist to join our established community team in Bedfordshire and Luton.
We need:
* A motivated Orthoptist who is willing to work flexibly.
* An Orthoptist who is looking to develop their clinical knowledge and skills.
You should:
* Hold a degree or diploma in orthoptics.
* Be registered with the HCPC.
* Be a member of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society.
Our team covers community clinics including paediatric orthoptic, special school, and child development. Our orthoptists work closely with and learn from consultants and specialist paediatric staff employed by Moorfields Eye Hospital and Bedfordshire Hospitals (L&D).
We provide orthoptic support for hospital paediatric, adult motility clinics, Goldmann perimetry, Stroke, and Glaucoma clinics with Ophthalmic Consultants. The department also participates in NIHR registered Moorfields research studies.
Main duties of the job
As a service we provide:
* Preceptorship for newly qualified Orthoptists.
* Continued Professional Development including in-house training and external courses.
* Opportunities to shadow and work within Goldmann, Stroke, Glaucoma, Special schools, and Research clinics.
* Regular team meetings and safeguarding supervision.
* The orthoptic department is also committed to teaching undergraduate orthoptic students.
You will be based in the community at either Liverpool Road Health Centre, Luton, or Kempston Health Centre, Bedford with a requirement to travel frequently to Bedfordshire Hospital sites (Bedford and Luton) and community clinics throughout Bedfordshire.
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose:
* To assist in the delivery of the Orthoptic Service, providing a high standard of care, undertaking a range of professional duties and working in a variety of areas in both acute and community settings across Bedfordshire, maintaining clinical and professional quality standards at all times.
* To assess, diagnose, treat and manage adult and children patients referred to the Orthoptic service.
* To take sole responsibility to determine the clinical diagnosis and formulate relevant treatment plans in conjunction with ophthalmologists and other health care professionals.
* To take responsibility for one or more clinical bases, liaising with administrative and optometric staff as required.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
* To be professionally responsible and accountable for the management of Orthoptic patients in Bedfordshire as an autonomous practitioner.
* To assess, diagnose, treat and manage (including discharge when clinically appropriate) the patients referred to the Community Eye Service.
* To formulate specialist individualised management and treatment plans using advanced clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills.
* To assess patients pre- and post-operatively and discuss surgery options with the Consultant Ophthalmologist.
* To take responsibility for advising patients, relatives, and carers of the prognosis regarding their eye condition.
* To promote the need for early intervention and treatment of childhood eye problems.
* To contribute to Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for patients with Special Educational needs when required.
* To triage new referrals prioritising their urgency.
* To maintain and check current and discharged clinical records on SystmOne.
* To work independently in busy community children's clinics within professional guidelines and Orthoptic competencies.
* To provide support for the Orthoptist Team Leaders.
Key Relationships:
* Orthoptists and Ophthalmologists across Bedfordshire in all clinical settings.
* Patients, relatives, and carers.
* Administration staff at all bases.
* Local Optometrists.
* 0-19 years teams (School nurses, Health Visitors).
* GPs and Multi-disciplinary teams.
Person Specification
Experience
* Undergraduate experience of working in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics including acute and community Orthoptics.
* Knowledge of clinical audit, risk assessment, Health and Safety, and Safeguarding.
Knowledge & Skills
* Literate in IT/Computer Skills.
* Good oral communication skills.
* Ability to make clear clinical decisions.
Qualifications & Training
* Degree/Diploma in Orthoptics.
* State Registered with HCPC.
* Member BIOS.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Contract
Permanent
Salary
£29,970 to £36,483 a year, pro-rata
Job locations
Community Eye Services, Liverpool Road Health Centre
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